On the beaches, little opportunities have existed courtesy of the southerly winds and swell, which is a real shame as the lead up to this full moon saw quality bream turn up in good numbers for the first time this year. Before the blow, all local beaches were yielding fish to a kilo with Lighthouse producing as well as anywhere on mullet strips and pipis. Some bumper late season whiting were also on the chew on beach worms. Those fishing the deeper waters were also encountering some big greenback tailor well over 2 kilos, predominately at night. Dawn and dusk sessions with lures or pilchards were also generally well rewarded by choppers. Still no reports on mulloway and one wonders whether the fish will turn up in any decent numbers at all this season.
Off the rocks, the swells have limited opportunities with more sheltered locations the places to fish. Bream numbers have been excellent and should improve once the full moon begins to wane. Drummer numbers have improved and the amount of food washed off the stones as a result of rough seas will only prime the pigs’ appetite further. The big seas also saw the usual gathering of blackfish in the lagoon at Shelley, providing the rather unique but most enjoyable experience of catching them from a beach environment. There are plenty of good tailor about but access to the ledges has been limited.
In the estuary, bream numbers have improved dramatically with both main breakwalls, the Coal Wall and Limeburners producing quality bags on strip baits of mullet or mackerel, gut bait or yabbies. Blackfish numbers have picked up with plenty moving into the estuary during the rough seas. Signs are excellent for the season ahead. Good numbers of flatties are still on offer with whitebait and yabbies achieving results, while lure tossers are enjoying continued success.
Jason and Virginia Isaac, Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle 6583 8318 jasned@ozemail.com.au